WHO Says Talc Is Probably Carcinogenic Again

Health professionals from around the world have confirmed that talc can cause cancer, which has led to more investigation of the safety of cosmetic talcum powder

Friday, June 27, 2025 - The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization, has reaffirmed its long-held view that talc is "probably carcinogenic to humans." This announcement comes after a new review of scientific evidence that raises serious concerns about using talcum powder products for personal hygiene. This Group 2A categorization means that there is evidence that being exposed to talc, especially by applying it to the perineum, might cause ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. A lawyer who works on a number of Johnsons Baby Powder cancer lawsuits said that the reaffirmation substantially supports the thousands of talcum powder cancer lawsuits that are now going on in courts all around the world. Plaintiffs say that companies kept selling talc-based powders to women for daily use on their genitals even though they knew about the mineral's inflammatory qualities and the risk of asbestos contamination. In lawsuits on baby powder cancer, people say that internal company documents show that the company has known about contamination hazards for a long time but never told customers. The WHO's reaffirmation puts even more pressure on manufacturers who are already experiencing more legal and financial problems.

The World Health Organization said that IARC based its evaluation on all the evidence it had, including studies of humans, lab animals, and how inflammation and cancer develop. The agency said that several large-scale studies showed a continuous link between using talc on the perineum and a higher risk of ovarian cancer. Animal studies also showed that talc can cause long-term inflammation in reproductive tissues, which is a biological process that is significantly linked to the development of cancer. IARC stressed that their Group 2A categorization shows a lot of concern, even if there is still some scientific doubt about how exactly these biological processes work. Talcum powder cancer lawyers say that the consistent links that IARC found should have made manufacturers put out clear warnings decades ago. Instead, they believe firms advertised talc-based powders as safe hygienic products for women to use every day, without mentioning the cancer dangers that international scientific groups had already found. Regulators all over the world are now feeling more pressure to act. Several European countries have already started looking at the safety regulations for ingredients. Consumer organizations are also asking that all talc-based cosmetics have cancer warning labels on them. Legal experts say that the confirmed IARC classification will probably be a big part of prospective court cases where juries look at charges that manufacturers ignored what scientists around the world agreed on. Some lawyers think that courts might start giving firms bigger punitive penalties if it can be demonstrated that they ignored WHO warnings. Talcum powder lawsuits seem certain to stay a big global problem for years to come, as more people become aware of the issue, consumers get angry, and regulators pay more attention. As more and more scientists agree that talc can cause cancer, both the law and the government may start to impose stricter penalties, settlement pressures, and perhaps pull out of the market.

The IARC of the World Health Organization has confirmed that talc is "probably carcinogenic," based on substantial biological and epidemiological data. Talcum powder cancer lawyers said this backs up thousands of claims that are still going on that say corporations didn't warn customers. Regulators all across the world may create rules that are stricter, such as requiring warnings and possibly even bans. The IARC classification puts more legal and public pressure on manufacturers who are already under global investigation for the safety of talc, marking a key turning point in the case's path.